It's neither final nor fully tested yet but Microsoft recently released another
ActiveSync Beta - this time for ActiveSync 4.5. With the introduction of Windows
Mobile 5.0, ActiveSync 4 is the only way to get the latest Windows Mobile
devices synced with Windows-powered PCs and Microsoft Outlook - right out of the
box. ActiveSync acts as the gateway between your Windows-powered PC and Windows
Mobile-powered device, enabling the transfer of Outlook information, Office
documents, pictures, music, videos and applications to and from your device. In
addition to synchronizing with a desktop PC, ActiveSync can synchronize directly
with Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 so that you can keep your E-Mail, calendar
data, tasks and contact information updated wirelessly when you're away from
your PC.

Changes in ActiveSync 4.5 Beta 2 help resolve issues related to
setup, partnerships, and connectivity with the PC and Microsoft Exchange. In
addition, it includes a troubleshooter utility that scans your computer and
device to identify problems and offers information and corrective actions to
solve them.

ActiveSync 4.5 Beta 2 supports PC sync via USB cable, Bluetooth or infrared
connection - LAN and W-LAN support - as we knew it from the recently shut-down
ActiveSync 3.x - is still not supported in ActiveSync 4.5.

Customers using Microsoft Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2 with devices
running the Messaging and Security Feature Pack for Windows Mobile 5.0 will
benefit from the following feature enhancements included in ActiveSync 4.5:
Direct Push Technology, local device wipe, and certificate powered
authentication to Microsoft Exchange.

Microsoft Outlook 2000 is not supported by ActiveSync 4.5 Beta 2. It is
highly recommended that users upgrade to Microsoft Outlook 2003 messaging
and collaboration client.

Conversion of database files for use on a mobile device is not supported
by ActiveSync 4.5 Beta 2. On previous versions, this feature was limited to
devices running Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC 2003 and earlier.

Conversion of font files for use on a mobile device is not supported by
ActiveSync 4.5 Beta 2. On previous versions, this feature was limited to
devices running Windows Mobile software for Pocket PC 2003 and earlier.

If you haven't faced any trouble with your current ActiveSync version,
you shouldn't upgrade to ActiveSync 4.5 Beta 2 - not as long as it is a
Beta. If you are using Windows Mobile devices before Windows Mobile 5.0 and
you sync via W-LAN, you might want to stay with your current ActiveSync 3.x
version anyway.